In his draft report, Massimiliano Salini (EPP, Italy) suggests few changes to the draft directive on the interoperability of electronic road toll systems and facilitating cross-border exchange of information on the failure to pay road toll fees in the Union, unveiled by the European Commission in May 2017 as part of its first mobility package (see EUROPE 11799).
The EU legislation in force - Directive 2004/52/EC and Decision 2009/750/EC on the European electronic toll service (EETS) and interoperability of road toll systems – has not achieved the desired aims of cross-border interoperability. Likewise, failure to pay road tolls is not dealt with effectively when a cross-border dimension is involved due to lack of compulsory exchange of information.
The European Commission has formulated proposals for tackling these problems, recommending that the terms used in the directive be defined and clarified, recommending technological characteristics, some of which are in an annex so that they can be amended by a delegated act at a future date. In addition, the Commission foresees measures to ensure that member states exchange information on failure to pay road tolls.
Salini welcomes the Commission’s proposal, giving it important backing. He agrees on the need to clarify the terms of the directive, but considers that the techno local aspects put in the annex by the Commission should remain a full part of the text and should thus de facto be subject to the normal legislative procedure (codecision).
The rapporteur feels that beyond an exchange of information between national contact points on road toll infringements, a contact point would also provide information, where necessary, for road toll collection companies.
The draft report will be studied on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 January with other draft reports relating to the first mobility package by the European Parliament’s transport committee. It is currently being discussed by the Council of the EU (see EUROPE 11919).
On 3 January, the Bulgarian Presidency presented a compromise report making few major changes to the Commission’s proposal. The draft compromise is being discussed by the Council’s land transport working group. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)